Rahal-Vintage Group: Historic & Vintage Racing forum: Classic Motorsports

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Oct. 24, 2009 5:23 p.m. aeronca65t HalfDork

I'm guessing that by now, everyone has heard about Rahal's new vintage group.

If not ~Click Here~ for more info.

He's starting at The Glen and then looking at events at other track. This is only for fast, "high-end" cars, so I don't expect to bring my Spridget to any of these events. I wonder how the other vintage groups will react?
Oct. 24, 2009 7:56 p.m. ronbros Reader

good idea, go for it!!

back around 1999-2000, they had a historic race at Daytona road course, lot of updated canAms, F5000, and GTP cars all with updated brakes and tires(tires has always been the limiting factor). well, when old man France Jr. heard they were makin over 250mph on back strech, he said Nomore of that nonsense. and never again a good historic race , all play follow the leader now.
Oct. 24, 2009 8:02 p.m. ronbros Reader

speakin of goin fast. have you ever seen a car, with 850HP ,in an 1800lb. car with good sticky tires, on a track where you can let it out.!!

down right scary.
Oct. 25, 2009 6:41 a.m. aeronca65t HalfDork

ronbros wrote: speakin of goin fast. have you ever seen a car, with 850HP ,in an 1800lb. car with good sticky tires, on a track where you can let it out.!! down right scary.

Yes. In fact I used to go to the Can-Am races back in their hey-day and saw the Porsche 917/30s running.

Those "Turbo-Panzers" weighed right about 1800 lbs and had 1100 horsepower. For qualifying, they used super-sticky tires that would only go about a dozen laps. Also for qualifying, they cranked the manifold pressure up so they could make over 1500 horsepower. Awsome!
Oct. 25, 2009 7:57 p.m. ronbros Reader

thats gotta be down right scary!!!!

I guess thats why they outlawed them, imagine what they would do with todays brakes and TIRES.!!

of course they were a different kind of man back then.
Oct. 28, 2009 11:50 a.m. Panzer82 None

I think this is a great idea. I'm amazed how few people show up for vintage racing events. Even Road America's Brian Redman International Challenge, while a successful event, doesn't pull the numbers I think it should or could.

So many casual car enthusiasts don't realize that these events even exist. I think Rahal is right on in his comments that advertising and reaching the prospective audience is the key.

A few years ago we had 40+ old Can-Am cars on the grid at Road America... my ears bled, Totally awesome!
Nov. 19, 2009 11:46 a.m. ggarrard New Reader

They have just announced a date for Circuit Mont-Tremblant next summer along with Watkins Glen and Barber Motorsport Park. From the looks of it - they are trying the "Goodwood approach" with theme events and hospitality.
http://www.sportscardigest.com/bobby-rahals-legends-of-motorsports-at-mont-tremblant/
Nov. 23, 2009 12:49 p.m. Basil Exposition New Reader

In reply to aeronca65t:

Some groups, like SVRA and HSR are probably quaking in their boots. Most vintage organizations have lost 10% to 30% in entries this past year. Odd time to start a new one, but perhaps Rahal has the connections to bring in the racers and get the track time. I don't understand the article's comments that "no one else is doing this." The classes look very similar to SVRA/HSR classes and perhaps a couple of others.